Vaginal irrigator.



'Patented Feb. Il, |902.

H. Vw..l wEsTLAKl-:pI yVMINAL IRRIGA'TOR. App'licmn med-June' 25, labs(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE.

HENRICUS W. WESTLAKE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

VAGINAL IRRIGATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 693,358, dated February11, 1.902. Y l

i Application filed June 25, 1898. Serial No. 684,510. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRIoUs WALLACE WESTLAKE, residing at Los Angeles,in the county of Los Angeles and State of California,

have invented a new and useful Vaginal Irrigator, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to syringes or other forms of irrigators by meansof which to cleanse the vaginal cavity to remove impurities therefromand to apply -medicinalprepa'- rations to the parts aifected.

An object of my invention is to provide means for applying the liquidsdirectly to the affected parts with an elfective force, butin such amanner that there will be no deleterious results, but the cleansing willbe perfect.

It is an object of my invention to avoid any regurgitation and toimmediately 'remove from the cavity all of the vitiated liuids.

My invention relates to the nozzle-head by which the application of theliquid is made, and also relates to the construction of the applianceWith relation to the immediate removal of-the liquid from the cavityWithout any regurgitation.

I have discovered that the difficulty heretofore experienced incleansing all'of the parts of the cavity by means of a syringe or otherform of i'rrigator arises largely from the fact that the irrigatorsheretofore used have been sol constructed that the action of the liquidon those parts which are most subject to disease and which are mostusually affected is mainly reflex and is not direct. So far as I amaware no vaginal syringe has heretofore been provided that could make acontinued application of the liquid directly tothe external os, theneck, and lower portion of the womb to remove .the impurities therefrom.On the contrary, the expediency of the use of such a syringe hasheretofore been considered doubtful. These parts are peculiarlysensitive, but they are also peculiarly exposed to and subject toaffection, and an object of my invention is to provide a vaginalsyringe. by means of which these delicate parts can be thoroughlycleansed. In some syringes of which I am aware it has been proposed .toperforate the ends of the nozzle, so that a stream is thrown directlyforward, the

body ofthe syringe rearward of the nozzle being enlarged, and therebyforming an obstruction to the immediate discharge of the liquid, thuscausing a damming up of the liquid within the cavity suicient toobstruct thedirect action of the forwardly-directed streams, whereby theretained liquid affords a measurable protection to the delicate parts,but at the same time prevents their absolute cleansing. In order toprovide for a perfect cleansing of the cavity any damming up of t-heliquid vmust be avoided, and I provide against any deleterious action ofthe cleansing-streams by so constructing my nozzlehead as to produceextremely fine and delicate though forcible streams or jets of liquidfrom the end of the nozzle. This I produce by so constructing the nozzleas to combine hydrostatic action with great frictional resistance-thatis to say, my newly-invented nozzle-head is provided with comparativelyvery thick walls with very fine dischargeoutlets therefrom, the samebeing minute tubular ducts, the length of which is over three times thediameter, and these issue from an enlarged chamber Within the head,which is supplied through an inlet of less diameter than the chamber andof greater cross-sectional area than the combined cross-sectional areaof the outlets. By this means the liquid is supplied vto the outletsunder hydrostatic pressure-that is to say, the liquid in the chamber ispractically undisturbed and there are no cross-currents within thechamber to interfere with the even and constant supply of the liquid toany and every outlet. Then the liquid in passing through each of theoutlets is subjected to great friction, so that the issuing stream ismuch finer than can be produced by any means other than my device, sof

far as I am aware; but such streams may be made to issue with greatvelocity and a consequent considerable force which is ample toedectively remove the impurities from any diseased surface within thecavity; but the streams do not have such momentum Vas to provedeleterious. It is insufficient for the purpose of my invention that thefine perforations be used without a hydrostatic supply, for it isimportant for the purpose of my invention that the streams while fine,so as to have but little momentum, shall have com- IOO effect. Mysyringe is also provided with a thin case surrounding the supply-tuberearward of the nozzle-head, a chamber being provided between thesupply-tube and the case and inlets being provided into said chamber,which inlets are large and spirally arranged all around the tube, sothat the liquid finds immediate exit therethrough from all sides andwithout being dammed up within the cavity. The case is of the sainediameter as the nozzle-head to form a straight cylinder therewith, andthe use of all tampons are dispensed with, so that there is noobstruction to the outflowing liquid, and I avoid all regurgitation andall retention of any impurities.

My invention is a notable departure from all vaginal irrigatorsheretofore known, in that by means of it it is possible to safely andwithout shock, discomfort, or inconvenience to the patient apply theliquids (with a force eil'ective to remove all impurities) direct infront of the nozzle to cleanse the external os, the neck, and the lowerportion of the womb, at the same time removing all impurities from theentire vaginal cavity. The nozzle-head is so constructed and thedischarge perforations or outlets are such that the cleansing andmedicinal liquids are thrown direct forwardly and also laterally inindividual and very line forcible jets which project themselves againstthe parts named, so that all such parts are acted on by thefreshly-injected jets of the liquid before such liquid has come intocontact with other diseased parts or impurities therefrom, and the forceof each jet can be sufficient under a convenient pressure by bulb orfountain to cleanse where it strikes, and yet be so gentle as to causeno inconvenience to the patient. The perforations are mere pin-holes indiameter and are arranged very close together. The head which I haveused is circular and is five-eighths of an inch in diameter. Theperforations are one thirty-second of an inch in diameter and passthrough walls five thirtyseconds of an inch thick from a chamberfivesixteenths of an inch in diameter, which is supplied through acircular inlet which is three-sixteentbs of an inchin diameter. Withthese dimensions I have used thirty-three'and thirty-four perforationssuccessfully. Care must be taken that the aggregate capacity of theoutlets is less than the capacity of the inlet which supplies theexpanded chamber.

My irrigator differs from all previous forms in that the head of theirrgatorhas numerous very fine and closely-arranged discharge-passages,the aggregate capacity of which is less than the capacity of thesupply-opening into the head, and said passages are promiscuously arranged-that is to say, in spiral or staggered rows and not in longitudinalseries-and they open from a chamber in the head, which chamber is oflarger cross-sectional area than the inlet, and the length of the boreof said passages is much longer than the diameter, so as to givedirection to the issuing streams and to project such streams asindividual jets to a considerable distance under a gentle pressure. Thelength of each outlet is preferably equal to from four to five times thediameter thereof, so that the friction of the walls upon the issuingstream modifies such stream and causes it to be very fine and gentle,though eective in its cleansing action, so that direct application canbe made to thoroughly cleanse tender parts which heretofore could becleansed only by local treatment. The promiscuous spiral or staggeredarrangement of the outlet-openings of the head causes the issuing jetsto operate more effectively in cleansing the cavity than if theoutletswere arranged in series-tl e., in straight rows-longitudinally along thehead. It' arranged in straight rows extending lengthwise of the head,the space between the rows of jets will not be so effectively cleansed,the action of the rows of jets being much as though the liquid weredischarged through parallel slots, thus failing to cut up and wash awaythe impurities lying between the lines where the discharge is effective.

By means of the direct method of application which is made possible bymy invention iniiarnmation of the uterus, vaginal walls, including theanterior wall of the rectum, the external os, neck, and, in cases ofprolapsus, the lower part of the womb can be reduced and the partsperfectly cleansed by the direct application of hot water or solution.This is not possible with any of theirrigators heretofore known. Theendwise perforations of the head are virtually and actually forwardextensions of the bore of the injectingtube, and the cavity of the headis expanded beyond the inlet and is in the expanded portion so large,compared with the inlet, as to give the effect of hydrostatic pressureto force the liquid through the fine perforations and to avoid formingany currents across the inner mouths of the perforations--that is tosay, my nozzle-head is so proportioned and constructed that the streamsare thrown with equal and even force from all the perforations lalikeunder any given pressure.

My irrigator comprises the combination, with an inner injecting-tube andan outer discharge tube or case, a discharge-chamber being providedbetween such tubes and said tubes terminating in about the same plane,of a nozzle-head of the same circumference as the tube and having anexpanded chamber with comparatively thick walls, with fine perforations,a short neck externally and :internally screw-threaded, theinjecting-tube being screwed into the neck and the neck screwed into thecase. These members are easily taken apart and cleansed. The inter- IOOIIO

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in Fig. 2.

is an enlarged fragmental sectional detail tov illustrate thecase-inlets. Inr this View and in tively, in- Fig. 6.

nal chamber of the headis of comparatively large'size, its cross-sectionbeing substan-j tially equal to or slightly greater than the `entirecross-section of the in'jecting-tube,and

vaginal cavity. 'Said i'nletsare elliptical, ex-` tending along the case.and with outwardlyi` daring mouths gentlysloping at the inner or frontmargins and risingzmore abruptly and bulging outward slightly at the.rear margins. Also a staggered orspiralfarrangement of these holesalongv` the case. is employedto fa-v cilitate collecting"theimpurematter. Y

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention. i Y i Y Figure 1 isafragnientaliview ofthe-irrigator. Fig. 2 is a'fragrnental view'ofthesame -looking from the right of Fig. l at the end of the vperforatednozzle. Y discharge-tube shown-in Fig.' 1v isA also shown Fig. 3 is anaxialsection. Fig.` 4

Fig. 3, the-inlets@ c2 are cut bythe line of section, as indicated bytheli'nes c co2 crespece larged fragmental perspective detailyillustrating one of the inlets into the case. Fig. 7 isan enlargedaxial 4sectional detailofthe nozzle-head.

A indicates an injecting tube which is adapted at one end a forVattachment to the rubber tube l through whichthe liquid medi canle'ntvis forced intotube A. The other end -a ofy tube Ais screw-threaded forattachmentv to the perforated discharge-nozzle-head B, which is providedwith a neck b,screwthread' edV externally and internally and with anexpanded chamber b. with discharge-outlets b therefrom, which are threeor more times greater i'nlength than diameter, sothat the frictionthereof will reduce the streams to an The tube A is screwed extremeineness. into the neck. f

C indicates an outer tube whichforms a case surrounding the tube A andis screwed onto the lneck and provided along its body with inlets c, andalso provided at the reary or outer end with a branch or outlet c,whichy is a tube on which a rubber tube 2 may be fastened to conduct theouttlowing liquid away without soiling the garments of lthe user. Thecase' C is contracted at the outer end, as with an inwardly-proj ectin gcollar c",

' which lits upon the tube A to close the end of the chamber 3 betweenthe case C and the tube A. The inlets c are arranged in spiral Thefragment'of-.the

Fig. 5 is an enlarged frag-f. mental detail of the head. Fig. .6 is anen.

rows; andthe liquid passing outward from z 4'the ynozzle-head rB will`rind its way into-the chamber 3 vthrough the`l inlets..Thein'letopenings c are provided with daring rounded ,7o fmouths tofacilitate the collection ofthe liq-y uid andj its introduction into thechamber be-A tween thel case andr the tube; The front margins 4 of theflaring mouths slope inward4v gently,` andthe rearmargins 5 are moreabrupt t than saidfront margins, so that the liquid i passes into theopenings freely over thefront margins andthe rear margins intercept theliquid, thus-.to directit in and preventitfrom passing-the openingsalong outside the walls. @The openings are` elliptical, their 'greatestlength being lengthwise the case. walled nozzle-head isrounded at frontand `cylindrical at the rear,'and the inlet-tube 2, 'which is screwedinto the neck, has an inter nalcross-sectionalarea less than that ofsaid chamber and a capacity greaterthantheag- The thickgregate capacityof the duets, softhat the chamber is expanded as compared .with theinletthereinto, and theliquid will be forced `through the ducts underthe influence of hy `drostatic pressure.

The tubular caseis thinwalled and is .screwed onto said "neck and formswith the cylindrical rear portion of said head a straight cylindricalbody, so that there vis no obstruction which will preventtheoutwardmovement of the liquidsfafter they have limpinged upon the vaginalwalls, and the outlet-openings in the case are oval-shaped and spirallyarranged, so that, the 'liquid is collected with vthe greatestfacilityand is conducted through the outlet"c.= w Incases wheremiscarriages have taken place one great difliculty a physician has tomeet with is poisoning, and to remove that poisonous substance makes theoperation IOO l very complicated,and heretofore in such caseslanesthetics, such as chloroform or ether, have been`used,often withfatal results. Such dif `ficulties are overcome by using this syringe.

TIO

In practical operation the'medicated liquid f is forced through the ftube by some suitable means-sueh as by a rubber bulb or by graV-''ity--and issues from the nozzle-head Bin nu- Inerous streams-throughthe radiating perforations b', which are bored through the thick wallsof the head, and which perforations are of comparatively great length togive direction to the issuing streams and by the' friction of the wallsreduce the lstreamsto very ne and delicate but distinct andefectivejets.

IIS

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The chamber in the head being of greater diameter than the interior ofthe inlet-tube avoids the production of currents across the inner mouthsof the perforations and gives greater force to the issuing streams, inaccordance with the laws of hydrostatics, thus forcibly applying theliquid to the aected parts and washing and cleansing the parts withgreatefficiency. The liquid introduced is free from any contaminations untilit has reached the parts desired, vand the outlowing liquid passingalong the case enters the inlet-openings and lioWs out from the outletc. Arrows in Fig. 3 indicate the course of the liquid. The outlet-tube calso serves the purpose of a handle.

The instrument may be made of metal, hard rubber, or any other suitablematerial.

Now, having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecu re by Letters Patent, is-

l. A vaginal irrgator which comprises an outer tube, an inner tube and ahead; the walls of the outer and innertubes being thin and the diametersof the tubes being such that a chamber is formed between the outer andinner tubes; the walls of the head being thick and formingaclosure forone end ofsuch chamber and having a cavity which forms alaterally-enlarged continuation of the bore of the inner tube;perforations being provided through the end wall of the head, laterallyand endwise,' and being of extreme neness and of comparatively greatlength as set forth for the purpose of producing a frictional resistanceto reduce the size of the streams issuing through said perforations; anda tube through which liquid may be forced into the inner tubes forproducing hydrostatic pressure in the cavity of the head to force theliquid out laterally, obliquely and endwise, in streams of extremefineness, but of considerable force; and the outer tube being furnishedwith comparatively large side inlets and with a discharging-tube; theend of the cavity between the outer and inner tubes being closedopposite the head and the outer tube and head forming a slender straightcylceases inder, substantially as and for the' purpose set forth.

2. A vaginal irrigator which comprises an outer tube, an inner tube anda head; the walls of the outerand inner tubes being thin vand thediameters of the tubes being such that a chamber is formed between theouter and inner tubes; the Walls of the head being thick and forming aclosure for one end of such chamber and having a cavity which forms alaterally-enlarged continuation of the bore of the inner tube;perforations being provided through the end wall of the head, laterallyand endwise, and being of extreme fineness and of comparatively greatlength as set forth for the purpose of producing a frictional resistanceto reduce the size of the streams issuing through said perforations; anda tube through which liquid may be forced into the inner tubes forproducing hydrostatic pressure in the cavity of the head to force theliquid out in streamsof extreme ineness, but of considerable force; andthe outer tube being furnished with comparatively large side inlets andwith a laterally-projecting tube c to serve as a discharging-tube andalso as a handle for manipulating the instrument; the end of the cavitybetween the outer and inner tubes being closed opposite the head by aWall c", and the outer tube and head forming a slender straightcylinder, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

H. W'. VESTLAKE.

Witnesses:

JAMES R. TOWNSEND, ALFRED I. ToWNsEND.

